Chapter 2: Training

In the end, Goku proved to be the most skilled, using his years of hunting experience to find the stone with the inscription. Krillin wanted to trick Goku into giving him the stone, but when he had that thought, he realized that John was looking at him very seriously.

Krillin swallowed hard and ultimately chose to give up.

Thus, dinner became a meal for Master Roshi, Launch, and Goku at the table, while Krillin drooled from the side and John sat nearby meditating, calming his mind in hopes of achieving a state of tranquility.

Although John had never seen Dragon Ball Super in his previous life, he was aware of the concept of Ultra Instinct. To perform Ultra Instinct, it was crucial to have one's intention precede thought, allowing the body to react faster than conscious thought.

This concept was actually part of Goku's training when he received instruction from the gods in the temple above the sky. However, Goku later shifted his focus to becoming a Super Saiyan and did not continue his training in this area.

Yet even that brief period of training laid the groundwork for Goku's future awakening of Ultra Instinct.

Of course, simply training to have intention precede thought does not guarantee awakening Ultra Instinct; that is impossible. To awaken Ultra Instinct, one must first awaken divine power and develop an exceptionally high physical quality.

Therefore, John could only proceed step by step in his training without shortcuts.

Though Master Roshi was eating dinner, he kept an eye on his three disciples. The performances of Goku and Krillin were as expected; however, John's performance was somewhat surprising.

Intention preceding thought was a state that even Master Roshi had not achieved himself; he never expected his disciple would begin attempting to train in it already.

However, such training is not easy and success is not guaranteed. As far as he knew, only his master, Master Mutaito, had barely reached this level.

Master Roshi felt he needed to pay close attention to John; he had a premonition that John's future achievements would surpass everyone's imagination.

At four o'clock the next morning, Master Roshi woke John and the others from their beds. Krillin and Goku still looked half-asleep.

Master Roshi said: "From now on we will officially begin our training. The first task is to deliver milk."

He then led John and the others to where the milk crates were stored. "Each person takes a crate of milk and follows me while running. I'll be at the front; John, you'll be at the back. Keep an eye on everyone; if anyone slacks off, let me know."

Thus began their rigorous eight-month training under Master Roshi's guidance.

They woke up early to deliver milk, helped farmers plow fields in the morning, worked on construction sites in the afternoon, swam, and engaged in a series of strengthening activities—all scheduled tightly by Master Roshi.

Starting from the second day, Master Roshi had them carry twenty-kilogram turtle shells until their training ended. However, after feeling the weight of the shell, John requested that his shell's weight be increased to forty kilograms.

Master Roshi glanced at John and nodded in agreement but cautioned him: "Be careful; if you feel unwell, switch back."

Although carrying forty kilograms at first made John somewhat uncomfortable—often finishing last in drills—over time as his Saiyan potential began to develop, his strength increased rapidly until he soon topped the training results again.

Once accustomed to carrying forty kilograms, John requested an increase to sixty kilograms for his shell.

Goku and Krillin also reluctantly switched their shells to forty kilograms.

Watching his disciples train so hard made Master Roshi involuntarily twitch at the corners of his mouth; he began to hesitate about whether he should participate in the World Martial Arts Tournament this time.

One month before the tournament began, John once again increased his shell's weight to eighty kilograms. This shocked Master Roshi; he felt John's strength was advancing far too quickly.

This rapid growth was largely due to John's Saiyan body. Goku was still growing since he had not yet reached adulthood; however, John was already an adult. Normally speaking, even with natural growth after reaching adulthood, a Saiyan's strength is considerable.

But because John's Saiyan body was granted through a wish, it allowed for rapid growth within a short time until his strength adapted to this Saiyan physique.

This means that John's current increase in strength is somewhat passive; once he reaches a certain level of adaptation, further rapid increases will require his own hard work in training.

Eight months passed quickly. Master Roshi finally concluded John's training along with that of the others. On this day, Master Roshi gathered them together and said: "Now you can take off your turtle shells."

Upon hearing Master Roshi's words, all three removed their heavy shells. The sounds of "thud" echoed as they hit the ground heavily—especially John's eighty-kilogram shell which sank several centimeters into the earth.

Goku and Krillin jumped up excitedly; they were startled by how high they could leap and began cheering joyfully as they ran around on the island.

Master Roshi approached John and asked: "Why don't you try testing your current strength?"

John shook his head and replied: "There's no need; strength isn't what matters right now. When we get to the World Martial Arts Tournament there will be plenty of strong opponents for me to test against."

"I've only just taken my first step into martial arts training; there's still a long road ahead. I think it's best for me to maintain a humble attitude for now."

Master Roshi looked at his disciple with admiration; he found it difficult to see through him. At such a young age possessing such strength without an ounce of arrogance—and having such clear self-awareness—was truly rare.

As long as John maintains this attitude moving forward, Master Roshi believes that John's future achievements will be limitless. This was already Master Roshi's second time thinking this way about him.

As time passed by, John would surely continue to surprise Master Roshi even more.

The next day came quickly as Master Roshi prepared to take John and others to Papaya Island for the World Martial Arts Tournament.

At that moment Launch came out of the house holding a large box and said to John and the others: "Come over here! I have some gifts for you." 

When John opened the box, he found three sets of blue suits inside. The three immediately put them on happily and began showing them off around.